STAFF at a hospital which treated al Qaeda mastermind Dhiren Barot are being probed over claims they gossiped about him.

Bosses at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are investigating comments posted on an internal staff messaging system about the prisoner.

It is believed seven staff members – mostly nurses – are under investigation for making the comments – deemed to be inappropriate by the trust – and they could face disciplinary action.

The messaging site, which is only accessible by trust staff working at hospitals including the Royal Victoria Infirmary, the Freeman and Newcastle General, has now been taken off the internal website.

It is alleged curious staff gossiped about the identity of dirty bomber Barot, who was treated under armed guard at the RVI last week after having boiling water and oil poured over him at Frankland Prison in Durham.

Paul Brewis, operational services manager at the RVI, said: “Following some inappropriate use of the internal electronic messaging system, we have suspended the service and are investigating the contributions of some members of staff to the noticeboard. The matter is being dealt with swiftly in an internal investigation and following the findings of the investigation there will be a decision on any disciplinary action to be taken in line with trust policy.

“I would not like to say exactly what they were talking about, but it was inappropriate and we take any issue like this very seriously, especially as it involved a member of the public.”

Barot, 35, was kept under armed guard at the RVI for six days after being attacked in prison.

He is serving 30 years for plotting to murder thousands in Britain and America using devices including radioactive bombs.

Staff at the RVI have been praised for generally acting professionally when the terrorist was brought on to the site.

But their messaging site will remain off the intranet until investigations have concluded.

Mr Brewis said: “We’ve agreed there needs to be a review of the management arrangements of the facility and once we’ve done that the site will be reinstated.

“This is not something that happens every day but everyone continued business as normal in a professional manner.”